Hamas' matyred leader Yahya Sinwar had been fighting the invading occupation forces in Gaza for 18 days before his martyrdom, a source within the movement revealed. 

On Friday, Hamas announced that its Gaza leader and Political Bureau Chief Yahya Sinwar was  martyred on the frontlines of his masterpiece, Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, against the Israeli enemy. 

Sinwar, contrary to the Israeli claims that he was hiding in tunnels and using captives as human shields, was in a house with several other fighters, himself donning military attire, including a vest, grenades, ammunition, and an assault rifle. 

According to the source, although Sinwar was advised to remain off the battlefield after being appointed the chief of Hamas' Political Bureau, the leader rejected the proposition and insisted on resisting, fighting, and dying on the frontlines. 

"He did not want to stay out of the battlefield, he wanted to die in battle. He had been fighting against Israel in Rafah for 18 days and was engaging in a battle with four comrades on the day of his death, a battle that lasted about two hours," the source said. 

Revealing some details of the confrontation, the source told Sputnik that Sinwar was alone in the building after his comrades sought to divert the occupation forces away from him. He chose to wrap his face with a Kouffiyeh to avoid artificial intelligence recognition when the Israeli forces sent a drone to film him. 

With nothing but a stick in hand, sitting on a sofa, he attempted to throw it at the Israeli drone, which then backed away before the house he was in was bombarded once again, leading to his martyrdom.

“They will say, this is the victory photo, the end of the battle and we have assassinated Sinwar, BE MY GUEST.”

-Yahya Sinwar, May 26, 2021 pic.twitter.com/GCchurbRQw

— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) October 18, 2024

Hamas lives on regardless of leadership

Hamas has already begun examining who its next leader could be after Sinwar's martyrdom. According to the source, three possibilities exist at the time being. 

The first could be the election of Hamas' acting leader Khaled Meshaal or deputy head of political office Khalil al-Hayya. 

The second could be the election of a special committee to take the lead until the war on the Gaza Strip ends. 

Lastly, Hamas' third option could be the election of a leader who will remain unannounced. 

Regardless, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri affirmed that the only path for the Palestinian people and their Resistance remains unwavering: standing firm on their land, resisting occupation, and confronting aggression until they thwart all efforts of displacement and the eradication of their national cause, leading to full liberation, independence, and the right of return.

Read more: Sinwar may be dead but Hamas lives on: Foreign Policy